YASMIN LEVY
Yasmin Levy-vocals, Yechiel Hasson-guitar, Miles Danso-double bass, Vardan Hovanissian-ney, flute, clarinet, zurna, Ishay Amir-percussion
As a distant relative of the Sephardic Jews driven out of Spain in the Middle Ages and who spread out through Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, Yasmin Levy sings in Ladino, a language that has survived down the centuries but is now threatened with extinction. Songs passed down over generations, written down and collected by her father form the core of her repertoire. Laments about unrequited love and songs of longing for a lost country. ‘This third CD by the Israeli singer Yasmin Levy was the best world music release of last year.’ (Heaven). ‘She is without a doubt a world class singer reminiscent of the Greek Haris Alexiou, the Portuguese Dulce Pontes and the Algerian Souad Massi.’ (Elsevier).